Vancouver Goldeneyes Win Inaugural Game over Seattle Torrent in Home Opener

Ladies and gentlemen… they have arrived! On November 21, 2025, the PWHL’s two newest teams took the ice for the first time ever in a head-to-head battle. The Seattle Torrent took a quick trip over the border to visit the Vancouver Goldeneyes for their home opener. 

To begin their inaugural seasons, the teams selected Corrine Schroeder (Seattle) and Emerance Maschmeyer (Vancouver) as their starting goaltenders. Schroeder played for the New York Sirens last season and Maschmeyer played for the Ottawa Charge. 

The Torrent rounded out their lineup with Hannah Bilka, Danielle Serdachny, and Jessie Eldridge on their top line and Anna Wilgren and Cayla Barnes as the starting defensive pair. The Goldeneyes placed Jenn Gardiner, Hannah Miller, and Katie Chan on their starting line, with captain Ashton Bell and Claire Thompson on defense. 

The Goldeneyes started the game in control of the puck, drawing an early hooking penalty against Wilgren. The Vancouver penalty looked fine enough but appeared to struggle with communication issues: a theme that seemed to plague both teams throughout the game. 

A shot from Jenn Gardiner looked like it beat Schroeder, but it ricocheted off the left post, leaving the game scoreless. The Torrent took another penalty shortly after, this time for an illegal body check by Jenna Buglioni on Michelle Karvinen. 

An offensive zone draw allowed for Seattle to create a scramble in front of the net and for Julia Gosling to score the team’s first ever goal, assisted by Wilgren and Alex Carpenter. 

Following the Torrent goal, the Goldeneyes tried to regain control and composure. A bad pass across the neutral zone by Megan Carter sent the puck to Sarah Nurse, who easily skated into the Torrent’s zone and sent the puck sailing past Shcroeder for the Goldeneyes’ first goal. 

Late in the period, a strong play along the boards by Torrent captain Hilary Knight sent the puck to Gosling, who scored her second of the game and gave the Torrent their lead back. 

The second period was mostly uneventful, though Seattle did take another penalty, with Emily Brown going to the box for interference. Both teams looked evenly matched throughout the game, but the second period highlighted that. 

The third period started with a bang. Gabby Rosenthal skated her way into the Torrent’s zone all alone to even the score for the Goldeneyes. Vancouver took their first penalty at 9:35: interference on Brooke McQuiggle.

Despite Vancouver having a slight edge on shots, Seattle wasn’t ready to stop trying. A pass from behind the net from Danielle Serdachny was redirected and poked into the net by Bilka. The goal was originally waved off, but ultimately counted for the Seattle Torrent. 

Late in the period, a shot from McQuiggle had Schroeder sprawling to glove the puck. The goaltender was unable to keep the puck under her control and it slipped away to Claire Thompson, who tied the game late for the Goldeneyes. 

To start the overtime period, the Torrent put out Carpenter, Knight, and Wilgren. The Goldeneyes sent out Gardiner, Bell, and Nurse. Seattle took early control but Vancouver recovered after a face-off win. Once Seattle regained puck possession, they slowed down the pace of the game. 

A strong neutral zone play by Tereza Vanisova took the puck into the Torrent’s zone. She passed over to Abby Boreen, who quickly netted the puck, winning the game for the Goldeneyes. 

Both teams looked skilled through their first ever games. If this is any indication for how further expansions will go for the league, all hockey fans should be excited.